Midland Park December 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Midland Park voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, Dec. 11 to decide the fate of the $15.27 million bond referendum to upgrade the borough’s three school buildings and the Midland Park High School and Highland School athletic fields. The proposal is divided in two parts on the ballot. The first question asks for $12.194 million for the “improvements, renovations and alterations” to the three buildings, “including acquisition and installation of furnishings and equipment and site work.” Question No. 2, which will only go into effect if Question No. 1 is also approved, seeks $3.077 million “to provide for renovations and upgrades to the auditorium at Midland Park High School, and … acquisition and installation of synthetic turf at the stadium field, replacement of the track and bleachers, installation of stadium lighting and scoreboard and other related equipment and site work” at the “Sonny” Santorine Athletic Field. Both bonding questions state that funds may be transferred among the projects approved at this election, and that no state aid is available. The capital projects included in the first proposal would have been potentially eligible for state support, but the board’s request for aid was denied. Should state support become available, the ballot statement says, the board will try again to get aid. The projects in the second proposal are not eligible for state aid. Board President William Sullivan said the funds would “address badly needed facilities repairs and upgrades” to the three schools. “The board has always put educational components first, and with a state-mandated 2 percent cap in budget increases, we are unable to even come close to addressing our infrastructure needs other than taking a reactive Vote on school facilities referendum scheduled or “band aid” approach,” Sullivan said, adding: “Approval of this referendum will be an investment in our schools that will save energy, reduce operating costs and provide a safer, more secure environment for the students of our district.” Peter Jeffer, treasurer of the Midland Park Taxpayers Alliance, a local group opposed to further bonding, disagrees. He said the committee was formed in an effort to give residents a voice in the school proposal. “What the board wants is so totally excessive. It does not take into account that people are having trouble paying their taxes now. Today’s economy is just awful,” said Jeffer. “The proposal has way too much in extras that don’t directly go towards our children’s education,” he added. Jeffer had also questioned the timing of the referendum, just weeks after the general election. Sullivan said that the state has identified four possible dates in which a vote of this nature can take place, with Nov. 6 not included in those dates. The board chose Dec. 11, he said, to allow for bidding out and award of the contracts in the spring, so that work could commence during the summer recess when school is not in session. The board anticipates the tax impact of the entire $15 million package to be $405.48 per year for the next 20 years on a house assessed at $392,000, the borough’s average. This breaks down into an additional $324.48 a year for Question No. 1 and $81 a year for question No. 2. The district is still paying off the remaining debt on the $12.3 million referendum approved in 2003, for which the board received $3.4 million in state aid. Under the proposal up for a vote Tuesday, improvements at Midland Park High School, which houses 530 students in grades 7 through 12, would total $5,725,110. They include $412,500 for new windows, $319,000 for flooring Schedule (continued from page 4) “This change is necessary to make up the three additional lost school days as a result of Hurricane Sandy,” Superintendent Lauren Schoen stated. “The board considered making up these days during the April break. However, given the possibility that there still may be more weather-related school closures, and thus a need for additional makeup days, the board decided to utilize the February break days. In the worst case, April break days will still be available for use. “The board of education knows that this will present an inconvenience to many Ramapo families and faculty who might have already scheduled travel plans, but the board concluded that this was the best of the alternatives.” replacement, $199,000 for ceiling tile replacement and $1,672,205 for roof/soffit replacement. ADA compliant fixtures and ramps would cost $265,560, and $264,300 is slated for fire alarm system upgrades. Toilet partitions and exterior doors would also be replaced. Electrical and mechanical upgrades, including phone/intercom, security lighting, boiler, HVAC, heating and plumbing systems, would cost $1.9 million. The referendum includes $3,857,289 for the Highland School, which houses 350 students in grades 3 through 6. The proposal calls for $1.4 million in mechanical and plumbing upgrades, including $552,250 for the heating/ventilating system, $386,000 to convert the heating system from steam to hot water, $234,750 for boiler replacement and $166,125 to repair/replace the plumbing system and fixtures. Other proposed upgrades include window replacement for $421,840, roof/soffit replacement for $396,375, floor replacement for $455,000 and ADA compliant bathroom upgrades for $68,000. Site improvements at Highland would include a new playground for $79,000 and field grading and seeding for $151,000. At Godwin School, which houses 209 students in grades K-2, improvements would run $2,611,610, with the greatest portion of the funds earmarked for lighting/electrical upgrades ($532,900), floor replacement ($176,000), window replacement ($381,360), roof/soffit replacement ($323,700), ventilating and heating system repairs/replacement ($425,750), and plumbing system/fixtures replacement ($143,400). The drop off area in front of the school would be enlarged by cutting into the front yard and new steps provided at a cost of $79,000. Question No. 2 includes $1,141,500 for a new synthetic turf field to provide for 24/7 use, $259,750 for stadium lighting, $547,250 for replacement of the existing cinder track and $346,000 for new bleachers. Walkways and fencing would be replaced for $200,000, and a new $37,000 scoreboard would be installed. Question No. 2 also includes $746,000 to refurbish the auditorium, which would get new seating, lighting, electrical and mechanical system upgrades and new stage refinishing and stage curtains. Specific information regarding the scope of the project, along with the financial impact to property taxpayers may be found on the district website - www.midlandparkschools.k12.nj.us. Sullivan also urged residents to feel free to contact a board member or administrator with additional questions.